Have You Ever Seen the Rain? (1971) 12/5/20

Once upon a time, back in high school English class, my classmates and I were asked to listen to “Sounds of Silence” by Simon & Garfunkel and write down what we thought it meant. Most of us took the task seriously and offered our interpretations.

Imagine our surprise and anger when most of us were told we were wrong and were graded accordingly. Needless to say most of us were NOT happy those grades counted.

Interpretation can be a personal thing. We don't always have to agree...nor do we have to be correct,” but sometimes a wrong interpretation can actually apply, whether the artist intended it...or not.

Case in point: Today's “Great Song of the '70s!”

In 1971, Creedence Clearwater Revival released “Have You Ever Seen the Rain.” Some critics thought the song was about the Vietnam War, believing the lyric “Rain falling down from the sky” meant “bombs and enemy fire.”

Others thought the song was about how the “idealism of the '60s” was giving way to the violence at Kent State and Altamont—just to give two examples.

John Fogerty of CCR, who wrote the song, thought those were interesting ideas...but said the song was actually about tensions in the band, many of which were between John and his brother Tom, who was threatening to quit the group (and later did).

John felt that with all the hits they'd had so far, and all the fame and fortune they had achieved, they should be happy—but no one was. The lyrics, “It'll rain a sunny day,” and “Have you ever seen the rain comin' down on a sunny day” makes the point.

Unless you're not from the Deep South, and don't know about “sun showers” an atmospheric condition that can cause rain to fall while the sun is shining.

Most critics—and many radio listeners--missed the metaphor. But whatever they believed the song was about, they liked it...and the proof is in the numbers: Top 10 in 10 countries, including #1 in Canada and South Africa and #8 on Billboard's Hot 100.

Best of all? Nobody gave them a “C” for being “wrong.” :-)

“Have You Ever Seen the Rain:” A Great Song of the '70s! (The video also explores the metaphor.)